A panel support (24, 424, 824) comprises an arm (26, 826) having a first portion coupled to a panel (22, 422, 822) and a second portion movable to an extended panel supporting position. A pliable member (28, 828) extends from the panel (22, 422, 822) and is coupled to the arm (26, 826). The pliable member (28, 828) is maintained in tension despite movement of the arm (26, 826).
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: a panel; a support coupled to the panel, the support comprising: an arm having a first portion coupled to the panel and a second portion movable to an extended panel supporting position; a pliable member extending from the panel and coupled to the arm; and a take up mechanism to take up the pliable member to maintain the pliable member at tension when the arm is at different positions.
A device for supporting a panel, such as a display screen, includes an arm attached to the panel. The arm has a section that can move to extend and support the panel. A flexible wire or cord (pliable member) runs from the panel to the arm. A mechanism inside the panel keeps the wire taut, regardless of the arm's position, ensuring stable support. This "take-up mechanism" maintains tension on the pliable member as the arm moves between retracted and extended positions, providing consistent support.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pliable member is actuatable between a shortened position in which a first percentage of the pliable member extends from an interior of the panel and a lengthened position in which a second percentage of the pliable member greater than the first percentage is extended from the interior of the panel.
The panel support from the previous description includes a flexible wire (pliable member) that can change length. When the wire is shorter, only a small amount extends from inside the panel. When the wire is longer, a larger amount extends out. This adjustment allows the wire to maintain tension as the support arm moves.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pliable member has a first percentage extending from an interior of the panel when the arm is in the extended position and a second percentage greater than the first percentage extending from the panel when the arm is in a retracted position.
The panel support described earlier has a flexible wire (pliable member) that adjusts its length based on the arm's position. When the support arm is extended, a small amount of the wire is outside the panel. When the arm is pulled back (retracted), more of the wire extends from the panel. This change in length ensures consistent tension in the wire for stable panel support.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the take-up mechanism comprises a bias resiliently pulling the pliable member into an interior of the panel.
The panel support described earlier includes a "take-up mechanism" to maintain tension on a flexible wire (pliable member). This mechanism uses a spring or similar device to pull the wire back into the panel, keeping it tight. The spring applies a force that retracts the wire, compensating for changes in the arm's position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a shaft coupled to the pliable member, wherein the bias applies a torque to the shaft to wind the pliable member about the shaft.
The panel support with the spring-based take-up mechanism also includes a rotating shaft connected to the flexible wire (pliable member). The spring's force turns the shaft, winding the wire around it. This winding action automatically shortens the exposed length of the wire, maintaining tension as described previously.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the bias resiliently biases the arm towards the extended panel supporting position.
In the panel support using a spring-based take-up mechanism, the spring not only pulls the wire, but also pushes the support arm towards its extended position. This means the spring helps both maintain wire tension and deploy the support arm automatically.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm is pivotable about an axis and wherein the pliable member is extendable across the axis from below the axis to above the axis when the panel is supported by the arm in a vertical orientation.
In the panel support described previously, the support arm rotates around a fixed point (axis). The flexible wire (pliable member) runs from the panel, across this axis, and connects to the arm. When the panel is upright, the wire extends from below the axis to above it, providing stable support during arm movement.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a dampening mechanism coupled to the arm to dampen rotation of the arm towards the extended position.
The panel support described earlier incorporates a component (dampening mechanism) that slows down the arm as it moves towards the extended position. This prevents the arm from snapping out too quickly and potentially damaging the panel. The dampening mechanism controls the arm's speed for smoother operation.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a catch movable between an arm latching position in which the catch retains the arm in a retracted position and an arm unlatched position, wherein the catch is resiliently biased towards the arm latching position; and a manual actuator coupled to the catch to move the catch towards the arm unlatching position.
The panel support described previously includes a latching mechanism. A catch holds the support arm in a folded-away (retracted) position. This catch is spring-loaded to stay engaged. A button or lever (manual actuator) can be pressed to release the catch, allowing the arm to swing out. When not pressed, the spring keeps the catch locked.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 comprising: a brake coupled to the arm and movable between a braking position in which the brake inhibits rotation of the arm and a released position allowing the arm to rotate, wherein the brake is resiliently biased towards the braking position; and a manual actuator coupled to the brake to move the brake towards the released position.
The panel support with the latching mechanism also has a brake on the support arm. The brake is normally engaged (spring-loaded) to prevent the arm from moving. A button or lever (manual actuator) can be pressed to release the brake, allowing the arm to swing freely. Releasing the actuator re-engages the brake, holding the arm in place.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a brake coupled to the arm and movable between a braking position in which the brake inhibits rotation of the arm and a brake releasing position allowing the arm to rotate, wherein the brake is resiliently biased towards the braking position; and a manual actuator coupled to the brake to move the brake towards the brake releasing position.
The panel support includes a brake coupled to the arm. The brake has two states: a braking position, where it stops the arm from rotating, and a brake releasing position, where the arm is free to rotate. A spring constantly pushes the brake into the braking position. A manual control is needed to move the brake into the releasing position so the arm can be moved.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a gripping mechanism actuatable between a gripping position in which the pliable member is gripped to inhibit extension of the pliable member from the panel and a grip releasing position allowing the pliable member to be extended from the panel, wherein the gripping mechanism is resiliently biased towards the gripping position; and a manual actuator coupled to the gripping mechanism to move the gripping mechanism towards the grip releasing position.
The panel support includes a gripping mechanism that prevents the flexible wire (pliable member) from extending too far. This gripper has two states: a gripping position, where it clamps the wire, and a released position, where the wire can move freely. A spring keeps the gripper clamped on the wire. A button or lever (manual actuator) is used to open the gripper and allow the wire to extend.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pliable member is actuatable between a shortened position in which a first percentage of the pliable member extends from the panel and a lengthened position in which a second percentage of the pliable member greater than the first percentage is extended from the panel and wherein the apparatus further comprises: at least one pliable member securement mechanism to secure the pliable member against actuation from the shortened position to the lengthened position; a first manual actuator at a first portion of the panel and operatively coupled to the at least one pliable member securement mechanism; a second manual actuator at a second portion of the panel spaced from the first portion of the panel, the second manual actuator being operably coupled to the at least one pliable member securement mechanism, wherein actuation of either the first manual actuator or the second manual actuator releases the at least one securement mechanism to allow the pliable member to be actuated from the shortened position to the lengthened position.
The panel support system includes a flexible wire (pliable member) with adjustable length. The wire can be shortened or lengthened. One or more locking mechanisms prevent the wire from extending. Two separate buttons or levers (manual actuators) on different parts of the panel release these locks. Pressing either button unlocks the wire, allowing it to extend. This provides two release points for convenience or safety.
14. A method for supporting an electronic display panel, the method comprising: moving a panel supporting arm coupled to the panel to an extended position; extending a pliable member from the panel to the panel supporting arm; and taking up the pliable member when the electronic display panel is in different positions.
A method for supporting an electronic display panel includes moving a support arm connected to the panel to an extended position. A flexible wire (pliable member) is extended from the panel to connect to the support arm. A mechanism takes up any slack in the wire, ensuring it remains taut regardless of the panel's position.
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October 31, 2012
June 27, 2017
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